Turkey Bowl 2024: Police departments turn football into fundraiser

BETHLEHEM, Pa. — It’s just some friendly flag football and fraternity; a bit of competition and charity.

Members of Allentown’s Queen City Lodge No. 10 and Bethlehem’s Star Lodge No. 20 Fraternal Order of Police agree that’s what the Turkey Bowl is all about.

The two groups on Nov. 3 squared off at Bethlehem Area School District Stadium in a neck-and-neck showdown that was ultimately decided late.

Bethlehem took the title this time around, 33-32.

The Bethlehem FOP also raised $1,300 through the officer-led event for its community engagement initiatives.

More than just flag football

Robert Nichelson, the organization’s president, said this year the FOP provided 400 school bags to BASD students, in an effort alongside Hispanic Center Lehigh Valley, Boys & Girls Club of Bethlehem and the city Health Bureau.

In that time, the group also sponsored a basketball tournament for area middle schoolers and donated to help fund the Northeast Middle School Band’s annual trip, he said.

Nichelson said broader support for the event and contributions to its cause are “vital” for the FOP to give back to the public it serves each day on the job.

“The Turkey Bowl stands as a testament to the camaraderie and teamwork shared among law enforcement officers and our collective commitment to foster positive community relationships,” Nichelson said. “We look forward to continuing this tradition for years to come.”

Courtesy Al Strydesky

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Bethlehem Fraternal Order of Police Star Lodge #20

Series now locked at 2-2

The 2024 game featured food trucks on site, raffles, and came complete with three referees for live officiating and even commentary from Mike Raymond of Fox Sports Radio Lehigh Valley.

The Turkey Bowl series itself began in 2021 and is now tied 2-2, with wins going back and forth through four matchups thus far. Previous winners and scores have included: Allentown, 26-24 (2021); Bethlehem, 32-18 (2022); and Allentown, 37-20 (2023).

Patrolman Michael Ozoa of Bethlehem Police Department and Det. José Ozoa Jr. of APD, brothers and founders of the event, both played football at William Allen High School. José even went on to play at East Stroudsburg University for some time.

Michael said the 2024 Turkey Bowl turned out to be quite a special showing. Even though the game is played around Thanksgiving, there aren’t any turkeys involved — it was just a fun name choice, he said.

“It was a back-and-forth game, that’s for sure,” Ozoa said. “But from one touchdown and one defensive stop to the next, I think this year had the most just intensity per drive from both teams.

“ … This year was definitely down to the last drive. We took the lead; Allentown had about a minute or so left in the fourth quarter with their last drive. And while trying to get it downfield, myself and other team members from Bethlehem were able to get a fourth-down stop and get the ball turned over. We ran the clock out and took the game.”

‘Great to show camaraderie’

Having a chance to blow off steam with some football is one thing, but the Turkey Bowl gives both Allentown and Bethlehem departments some quality time together off the clock, Ozoa said.

“The most important thing about running an event like this is just the rapport-building, the team-building between two departments that don’t necessarily work day to day by each other, but come across each other very often in ways,” he said.

“It’s a good event that the guys look forward to,” said Allentown FOP President David Benner. “And you know, it’s great to show camaraderie among neighboring police departments.”

The Allentown FOP also happens to take great pride in its Turkey Bowl jerseys year to year. And even though the group couldn’t quite pull out the win, Benner said one thing’s for certain:

“We always look better than them,” he said, chuckling.

The Allentown FOP is slated to host the 2025 Turkey Bowl at J. Birney Crum Stadium.